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The 1983 Kodiak F1
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The Kodiak F1 made its debut at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was produced by Speed & Sport GmbH. of Stuttgart Germany, under the leadership of Mladen Mitrović. Speed and Sport manufactured convertible roofs and other automotive accessories, and Mitrović wanted to fulfill his ambitions to build a bespoke super car. With the help of the University of Munich, and some pioneering CAD software, Mitrovic carried out the car's development in record time.
The F1 was a coupe with gullwing doors that resembled the Mercedes-Benz C 111 experimental concept car. The body consisted of Kevlar and carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Underneath this bodywork was a tubular steel chassis, to which the body and chassis tub were bonded using epoxy. Light weight and structural rigidity were the main goals guiding its design.
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The Kodiak F1 engine bay. Note the Chevy V8 is used in this example.
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Though the initial prototype was shown with an AMG tuned, 6.0 liter V8 boasting 380bhp, other options were made available to potential customers including a stock Mercedes Benz V8, as well as a blueprinted Chevrolet 350ci V8, carrying aluminum Brodix heads and a quartet of Webers' or Bosch fuel injection for roughly 320-340 horsepower. In all applications power was put to the road via a 5-speed ZF gearbox.
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| The 1983 Kodiak F1, seen from the rear. Note the Porsche 944 taillights |
Rounding out the package, mechanically, were a suspension consisting of unequal length A-Arms, Koni shock absorbers, and Brembo brakes. The empty weight was given as 1,000 kg and the acceleration from zero to 200 kmph was less than ten seconds. Certainly brisk for the time...
With many components cribbed from the Mercedes parts bin, the cars interior had a familiar appearance. Kodiak F1 was equipped with Air conditioning, a 300 Watt audio system with 22 speakers, leather seats, and a MOMO Leather steering wheel from Italy. Every inch covered in leather, it certainly looked the part of a luxury GT.
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Kodiak F1 interior
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When it was introduced in 1983, it had a suggested retail price of around $50,000 (USD) but as the project progressed that figure ballooned to more than $100K. Perhaps this explains why no more than a handful of F1's were produced and sold. The project was concluded in 1990 and it is unclear what became of the cars. At least one went up for sale on eBay in 2009, claiming to be the sole example, and this car wound up in the US.
Of course, the Kodiak F1 wasn't the only limited run supercar produced in 1980's Germany inspired by the Mercedes C111 series of experimental cars. B&B Design and later Isdera also produced their own take on the theme. Isdera continues to produce one offs and limited run cars such as the Commendatore.
From a design standpoint, it was the epitome of its era. An 80's bedroom poster car if there ever was one.
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1983 Kodiak F1 - Rear 3/4 view
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Front 3/4 view |
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Rear 3/4 view |
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Profile view |
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Headlights exposed |
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1983 Kodiak F1 - Front 3/4 view
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Gull-wing doors opened |
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Poster |
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Rear 3/4 view |
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Front 3/4 view, lights on |
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Front 3/4 view |
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Interior |
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - at car show with Isdera Imperator Spyder in background |
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Engine bay and boot |
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| 1983 Kodiak F1 - Front view |
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